Updated Ebola Guidance for EMS and 9-1-1 Systems

Date: 2014-12-10

The CDC reports that the following previously developed guidance was updated on December 2nd:

“Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for Management of Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease in the United States”

This updated version of the guidance has been updated to clarify the minimum PPE levels for EMS personnel and first responders. The updated information reflects the PPE guidance described in other CDC guidance documents such as “Identify, Isolate, Inform: Emergency Department Evaluation and Management for Patients Who Present with Possible Ebola Virus Disease” and “Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment To Be Used by Healthcare Workers During Management of Patients with Ebola Virus Disease in U.S. Hospitals, Including Procedures for Putting On (Donning) and Removing (Doffing)” to keep workers safe when responding to patients with suspected Ebola.

Special note: The likelihood of contracting Ebola in the United States is extremely low unless a person has direct contact with the blood or body fluids (like urine, saliva, vomit, sweat, and diarrhea) of a person who is infected with Ebola virus. The majority of patients with fever and other non-specific signs and symptoms* in the U.S. do not have Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola), and the transmission risk posed to those in direct contact by patients with Ebola and early symptoms is lower than the risk from a patient hospitalized with severe Ebola. Nevertheless, because early Ebola symptoms are similar to those seen with other febrile illnesses, providers should consider and assess patients for the possibility of Ebola. The guidance provided in this document reflects lessons learned from the recent experience caring for patients with Ebola in U.S. healthcare settings.